Liverpool agree club record deal for Keita

Liverpool FC of England on Monday agreed a club record deal to sign RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita, with the midfielder only moving to Anfield in July 2018.

The Reds have agreed to pay the £48 million release clause which will allow the 22-year-old to move next summer, plus an undisclosed premium.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Keita had been one of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s primary targets this summer, but Leipzig have been refusing to sell.

The deal will surpass the £35 million paid to Newcastle for Andy Carroll in 2011.

RB Leipzig finished second behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last season, meaning they qualified for the Champions League group stage.

Liverpool had already had two offers for the Guinea international rejected this summer, with the second understood to be about £70 million.

But now a compromise deal has been reached, with Leipzig keeping their prize asset this season and Liverpool getting the player next summer.

The Reds have so far this summer signed winger Mohamed Salah from Roma for £34 million, full-back Andrew Robertson from Hull for £8 million and striker Dominic Solanke after his contract at Chelsea expired.

The Anfield club are also prepared to test Monaco’s resolve to keep midfielder Thomas Lemar by offering to pay about £60 million before Thursday’s transfer deadline.